Quarterly Progress Report Form – Positive Train Control Implementation 

FRA F 6180.165

OMB Control No. 2130-0553

To effectively monitor each railroad’s progress implementing a positive train control (PTC) system, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is 

requiring the submission of quarterly progress reports on this form, beginning June 30, 2016, under its investigative authorities. See, e.g., 49 U.S.C. 

§§ 20107, 20902, 20157(c)(2); 49 CFR § 236.1009(h). A railroad must submit quarterly reports until a PTC system is fully implemented on all its

required main lines under 49 U.S.C. § 20157 and 49 CFR part 236, subpart I, including a quarterly report for the quarter in which the railroad

completes full PTC system implementation.

Quarterly PTC Progress Reports must be submitted electronically to FRA via the FRA Secure Information Repository (SIR) at https://sir.fra.dot.gov. 

Key Dates for PTC Implementation Quarterly Progress Reporting:

General Instructions: 

1. References to a railroad’s PTC Implementation Plan (PTCIP) in this form refer to the railroad’s revised PTCIP submitted under the Positive

Train Control Enforcement and Implementation Act of 2015, or the most current amended PTCIP FRA has approved, if any;

2. If a particular category listed in a table does not apply to the railroad’s technology, please indicate “N/A”; and

3. For Sections 2, 4, and 6, please select a “Status” option from the drop-down menus provided.

4. *NEW* – As labeled, Sections 2, 3.1 (not including the software-related narrative section), 3.2, 3.3, and 5 are optional for any railroad that

previously demonstrated to FRA it had finished acquiring all necessary spectrum, installing all PTC system hardware for the implementation

of its PTC system(s), and/or training all employees required to receive training under 49 CFR §§ 236.1041 through 236.1049, consistent with

the governing FRA-approved PTCIP.

1

Section 4 is optional only for a railroad that reports in Section 1 of this form that its PTC system is

governing operations, including RSD, on all PTC-mandated route miles.

1 These sections are currently mandatory only for railroads that are still in the spectrum acquisition, hardware installation, or employee training phases, which is 

the case for certain railroads that, for example: (A) commenced regularly scheduled intercity passenger or commuter rail service after December 31, 2018; (B) are 

in the process of constructing new main lines subject to the statutory mandate; or (C) have one or more lines that are subject to a temporary main line track 

exception and must still implement a PTC system.

Period Coverage Period Progress Report Due Date

Q1 January 1 – March 31 April 30

Q2 April 1 – June 30 July 31

Q3 July 1 – September 30 October 31

Q4 October 1 – December 31 January 31

Name of Railroad or Entity Subject 

to 49 U.S.C. § 20157(a):

Railroad Code:

Quarterly PTC Progress Report for:

Date:

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 Quarterly Progress Report Form – Positive Train Control Implementation 

FRA F 6180.165

OMB Control No. 2130-0553

1. Summary

Category Cumulative Quantity 

Completed to Date

Total Quantity Required 

for PTC Implementation

Locomotives Fully Equipped and PTC Operable

Installation/Track Segments Completed

Employees Trained

Territories2 in Revenue Service Demonstration or in PTC Operation

Route Miles in Field Testing3

Route Miles in Revenue Service Demonstration3

Route Miles in PTC Operation

Provide a narrative summary of overall PTC implementation progress during the applicable quarter:

2 A territory is an entire installation/track segment as identified in the railroad’s PTCIP (e.g., a track segment, territory, subdivision, district, etc.) consistent with 49 

U.S.C. 20157(a)(3)(B)(vi), 49 CFR part 236, subpart I.

3

As applicable, enter the number of route miles where a PTC system is currently undergoing field testing in one row and, in a separate row, the number of route 

miles where a PTC system is currently in revenue service demonstration. Railroads must only identify in the “Route Miles in Field Testing” and “Route Miles in 

Revenue Service Demonstration” fields any route miles that are still currently undergoing PTC field testing and/or revenue service demonstration. For example, if 

field testing is complete and a railroad is operating its PTC system in revenue service demonstration exclusively, a railroad may write “Complete” in the “Route 

Miles in Field Testing” fields. 

Once a railroad has received written authorization from FRA to operate its PTC system in revenue service (through either provisional operations authorization 

under 49 U.S.C. 20157(h)(2) or PTC System Certification under 49 U.S.C. 20157(h)(1), the railroad must identify any route miles where a PTC system is being 

operated in revenue service in the “Route Miles in PTC Operation” field. If a railroad is operating the PTC system in revenue service and has completed all field 

testing and revenue service demonstration, it may write “Complete” in the “Route Miles in Field Testing” and “Route Miles in Revenue Service Demonstration” 

fields.

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 Quarterly Progress Report Form – Positive Train Control Implementation 

FRA F 6180.165

OMB Control No. 2130-0553

2. Quarterly Update on Spectrum (Optional for Most Railroads4)

4 This section is optional for any railroad that previously demonstrated to FRA it had finished acquiring all necessary spectrum, consistent with the governing FRAapproved PTCIP.

5 If the railroad reported in its PTCIP that all necessary spectrum had been acquired and was available for use, or the railroad’s technology does not require the use 

of spectrum, please indicate “N/A” in this table.

Area or Location (e.g., county)

That Requires Spectrum, as 

Reported in PTCIP5

Q1 - Status Q2 – Status Q3 – Status Q4 - Status

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 Quarterly Progress Report Form – Positive Train Control Implementation 

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OMB Control No. 2130-0553

Provide any additional narrative for Spectrum below:

3. Quarterly Update on Major Milestones

3.1 Locomotive Status (Optional for Most Railroads6)

Category/Installation 

Feature

Q1 – 

Quantity 

Installed

Q2 – 

Quantity 

Installed

Q3 – 

Quantity 

Installed

Q4 – 

Quantity 

Installed

Sum of 

Quarterly 

Totals

PTCIP Year 

End Goal (if 

applicable)

Cumulative 

Quantity 

Installed

Grand 

Total 

Reported 

in PTCIP (if 

applicable)

Locomotive (Apparatus) 7

Locomotives with On-board 

Computers (e.g., Train 

Management Computer) 

Installed

Locomotives with PTC Displays 

Installed

Locomotives with PTC-Capable 

Event Recorders Installed

Locomotives with Locomotive 

Radios Installed – Primary 

Communications (e.g., 220 

MHz radios)

Transponder Readers (e.g., for 

non I-ETMS systems)

6 This section, except the software-related narrative section below, is optional for any railroad that previously demonstrated to FRA it had finished installing all PTC 

system hardware for the implementation of its PTC system, consistent with the governing FRA-approved PTCIP. 7 If a particular category listed in this table does not apply to the railroad’s technology, please indicate “N/A.” A railroad may add categories or subcategories in 

Appendix A if it wants to provide more detail. 

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 Quarterly Progress Report Form – Positive Train Control Implementation 

FRA F 6180.165

OMB Control No. 2130-0553

PTC Software: Describe 1) the railroad’s approach to installation of PTC software on its locomotive fleet, and 2) any issues the railroad is 

experiencing with installed versions of train management software (e.g., reverting back to previous software versions due to errors in the current 

version):

Provide any additional narrative for Locomotive Status below: 

3.2 Infrastructure/Back Office Status (Optional for Most Railroads8) 

Infrastructure – Back Office Systems

How many physical back office locations are required for PTC operations, as reported in the PTCIP?

How many physical back office locations have been constructed with all necessary equipment 

installed?

Are the Back Office Location(s) fully operable with PTC? 

Are the Dispatching Location(s) fully operable with PTC? 

8 This section is optional for any railroad that previously demonstrated to FRA it had finished installing all PTC system hardware for the implementation of its PTC 

system, consistent with the governing FRA-approved PTCIP.

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 Quarterly Progress Report Form – Positive Train Control Implementation 

FRA F 6180.165

OMB Control No. 2130-0553

Provide any additional narrative for Infrastructure/Back Office Status below:

3.3 Infrastructure/Wayside Status (Optional for Most Railroads9) 

Category/Installation 

Feature

Q1 – 

Quantity 

Installed

Q2 – 

Quantity 

Installed

Q3 – 

Quantity 

Installed

Q4 – 

Quantity 

Installed

Sum of 

Quarterly 

Totals

PTCIP Year 

End Goal 10

Cumulative 

Quantity 

Installed

Grand 

Total 

Reported 

in PTCIP (if 

applicable)

Infrastructure – Wayside Installations (Systemwide) 11

Wayside Interface Units

Communication Towers or 

Poles

Switch Position Monitors

Wayside Radios

Base Station Radios 

Are all necessary communication backbone utilities (including fiber, copper, ground wiring etc.) installed and ready for operation?

9 This section is optional for any railroad that previously demonstrated to FRA it had finished installing all PTC system hardware for the implementation of its PTC 

system, consistent with the governing FRA-approved PTCIP. 10 Unlike the heading in table 3.1, this heading is not qualified with “(if applicable)” because each railroad was required to provide year-end goals for these 

particular hardware categories under the PTC Enforcement and Implementation Act of 2015.

11 If a particular category listed in this table does not apply to the railroad’s technology, please indicate “N/A.” A railroad may add categories or subcategories in 

Appendix A if it wants to provide more detail. 

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 Quarterly Progress Report Form – Positive Train Control Implementation 

FRA F 6180.165

OMB Control No. 2130-0553

Provide any additional narrative for Infrastructure/Wayside Status below: 

4. Installation/Track Segment Progress – Current Status12 (Optional for Some Railroads13)

Segment Identification14

Q1 Status – Current status 

of installation/track 

segment

Q2 Status – Current status 

of installation/track 

segment

Q3 Status – Current status 

of installation/track 

segment

Q4 Status – Current status 

of installation/track 

segment

12 For passenger rail operations, this information should be further segregated into those routes where it is a host or tenant. 13 This section is optional for a railroad that reports in Section 1 (“Summary”) that its PTC system is governing operations, including RSD, on all PTC-mandated

route miles, consistent with the governing FRA-approved PTCIP. 14 Segment identification should be consistent with installation segments as listed in the railroad’s PTCIP (e.g., by track segment, territory, subdivision, district, 

etc.).

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 Quarterly Progress Report Form – Positive Train Control Implementation 

FRA F 6180.165

OMB Control No. 2130-0553

Segment Identification14

Q1 Status – Current status 

of installation/track 

segment

Q2 Status – Current status 

of installation/track 

segment

Q3 Status – Current status 

of installation/track 

segment

Q4 Status – Current status 

of installation/track 

segment

If a railroad has more segments where PTC will be implemented, please use the additional rows provided in Appendix B. 

Provide any additional narrative for Installation/Track Segment Status below:

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 Quarterly Progress Report Form – Positive Train Control Implementation 

OMB Control No. 2130-0553

5. Quarterly Update on Employee Training (Optional for Most Railroads15)

Employee Category16

Q1 – # 

Employees 

Trained

Q2 – # 

Employees 

Trained

Q3 – # 

Employees 

Trained

Q4 – # 

Employees 

Trained

Sum of 

Quarterly 

Totals

PTCIP 

Year End 

Goal

Cumulative 

# of 

Employees 

Trained

Grand 

Total 

Reported 

in PTCIP

Employees who Install, Maintain, 

Repair, Modify, Inspect, and Test the 

PTC System 

Employees who Dispatch Train 

Operations

Train and Engine (Operations) 

Employees 

Roadway Worker Employees

Direct Supervisors of the Above 

Employees

Provide any additional narrative for Employee Training below:

15 This section is optional for any railroad that previously demonstrated to FRA it had finished training all employees required to receive PTC training under 49 CFR 

§§ 236.1041 through 236.1049, consistent with the governing FRA-approved PTCIP.

16 See 49 CFR § 236.1041(a).

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 Quarterly Progress Report Form – Positive Train Control Implementation 

FRA F 6180.165

OMB Control No. 2130-0553

6. Quarterly Update on Interoperability Progress and Other Formal Agreements

This section is provided to help railroads describe interoperability information. Please provide any additional information (e.g., an appendix) as 

appropriate. 

Required content:

• For host railroads: provide updates to any agreements and key milestones for all tenant operations

• For tenant railroads: provide updates to any agreements and key milestones for all operations over tracks hosted by another railroad

Host and Tenant Railroads: Provide a general update on interoperability in the textbox below:

Host Railroads Only: For each tenant, provide additional tenant information below:

Tenant Identification

Estimated Quantity of 

Tenant Rolling Stock to be 

Equipped with PTC

Scheduled Completion 

Date for 

Interoperability Testing

Current Tenant 

Interoperability Status

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 Quarterly Progress Report Form – Positive Train Control Implementation 

FRA F 6180.165

OMB Control No. 2130-0553

Tenant Identification

Estimated Quantity of 

Tenant Rolling Stock to be 

Equipped with PTC

Scheduled Completion 

Date for 

Interoperability Testing

Current Tenant 

Interoperability Status

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 Quarterly Progress Report Form – Positive Train Control Implementation 

FRA F 6180.165

OMB Control No. 2130-0553

Public reporting burden for this information collection is estimated to average 23.22 hours per response, including the time for reviewing 

instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of 

information. According to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, a federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 

to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with, a collection of information unless it displays a currently 

valid OMB control number. The valid OMB control number for this information collection is 2130-0553. All responses to this collection of 

information are mandatory. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection, including suggestions for 

reducing this burden to OMB’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Attn: FRA OMB Desk Officer. 

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 Quarterly Progress Report Form – Positive Train Control Implementation 

FRA F 6180.165

OMB Control No. 2130-0553

Appendix A: Additional Rows for Quarterly Update on Major Milestones 

Category/Installation 

Feature

Q1 – 

Quantity 

Installed

Q2 – 

Quantity 

Installed

Q3 – 

Quantity 

Installed

Q4 – 

Quantity 

Installed

Sum of 

Quarterly 

Totals

PTCIP Year 

End Goal (if 

applicable)

Cumulative 

Quantity 

Installed

Grand 

Total 

Reported 

in PTCIP (if 

applicable)

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 Quarterly Progress Report Form – Positive Train Control Implementation 

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OMB Control No. 2130-0553

Appendix B: Additional Rows for Installation/Track Segment Progress – Current Status 

Segment Identification

Q1 Status – Current status 

of installation/track 

segment

Q2 Status – Current status 

of installation/track 

segment

Q3 Status – Current status 

of installation/track 

segment

Q4 Status – Current status 

of installation/track 

segment

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 Quarterly Progress Report Form – Positive Train Control Implementation 

FRA F 6180.165

OMB Control No. 2130-0553

Segment Identification

Q1 Status – Current status 

of installation/track 

segment

Q2 Status – Current status 

of installation/track 

segment

Q3 Status – Current status 

of installation/track 

segment

Q4 Status – Current status 

of installation/track 

segment

OMB Approval Granted 06/05/2020 

OMB Approval Expires 06/30/2023
 Quarterly Progress Report Form – Positive Train Control Implementation 

FRA F 6180.165

OMB Control No. 2130-0553

Segment Identification

Q1 Status – Current status 

of installation/track 

segment

Q2 Status – Current status 

of installation/track 

segment

Q3 Status – Current status 

of installation/track 

segment

Q4 Status – Current status 

of installation/track 

segment

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 Quarterly Progress Report Form – Positive Train Control Implementation 

FRA F 6180.165

OMB Control No. 2130-0553

Segment Identification

Q1 Status – Current status 

of installation/track 

segment

Q2 Status – Current status 

of installation/track 

segment

Q3 Status – Current status 

of installation/track 

segment

Q4 Status – Current status 

of installation/track 

segment

OMB Approval Granted 06/05/2020 

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 Quarterly Progress Report Form – Positive Train Control Implementation 

FRA F 6180.165

OMB Control No. 2130-0553

Segment Identification

Q1 Status – Current status 

of installation/track 

segment

Q2 Status – Current status 

of installation/track 

segment

Q3 Status – Current status 

of installation/track 

segment

Q4 Status – Current status 

of installation/track 

segment

OMB Approval Granted 06/05/2020 

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 Quarterly Progress Report Form – Positive Train Control Implementation 

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OMB Control No. 2130-0553

Segment Identification

Q1 Status – Current status 

of installation/track 

segment

Q2 Status – Current status 

of installation/track 

segment

Q3 Status – Current status 

of installation/track 

segment

Q4 Status – Current status 

of installation/track 

segment

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 Quarterly Progress Report Form – Positive Train Control Implementation 

FRA F 6180.165

OMB Control No. 2130-0553

Segment Identification

Q1 Status – Current status 

of installation/track 

segment

Q2 Status – Current status 

of installation/track 

segment

Q3 Status – Current status 

of installation/track 

segment

Q4 Status – Current status 

of installation/track 

segment

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